LANE COUNTY, Ore. — If hiking through the forest to cut down your own Christmas tree is the approach you prefer, here are a couple of things to keep in mind:

First, you need to buy a $5 Forest Service personal use permit. That lets you cut down a tree on designated ares of forest service land.

Make sure you bring a handsaw and something to tie the tree down to your vehicle with when you’re done. You can only cut down a tree that’s less than 12 feet tall.

“Be aware where you are. It’s also smart to purchase a Forest Service map that has all the roads on it, and we sell these at our offices, too. That will help you navigate our roads if you’ve never been out, because there are many,” said Katie Isacksen, Willamette National Forest Public Affairs.